Land grab: Cong, BJP turn heat on Kishore

The opposition was armed with a reply of revenue minister Bijayshree Routray on February 9, where the latter mentioned registration of government land (Nazul land) in the names of Mohanty, his wife Alaka and minor son Purusottam

BHUBANESWAR: The Congress and the BJP on Wednesday stepped up attack against chairman of Western Odisha Development Council Kishore Mohanty for grabbing government land in Jharsuguda tehsil. Kishore is a former speaker of the assembly and ex-member of Rajya Sabha.

The opposition was armed with a reply of revenue minister Bijayshree Routray on February 9, where the latter mentioned registration of government land (Nazul land) in the names of Mohanty, his wife Alaka and minor son Purusottam.

Rubbishing the charges, Kishore said he never grabbed any government land. He said he was ready for any kind of probe.

Jharsuguda MLA Naba Kishore Das, who defeated Kishore in the 2014 assembly polls, said, "We are not making false allegations. Since the minister mentioned Kishore Mohanty's name in his reply, the government should clarify who the person is."

Brajrajnagar MLA Radharani Panda (BJP) also targeted the government over the issue. "The minister admitted that Kishore registered government land in his favour," said Panda.

The revenue minister said he has directed the department for a thorough inquiry into the matter.

"Appropriate action would be taken if there is any discrepancy," he added.